5) Occultation, Kosmodemonic, Mountain God, Think Tank at Palisades
In the interest of full disclosure, this one was booked by yours truly and is flying under FREEwilliamsburg’s This One Goes To Eleven banner, also written by, umm yeah, you guessed it. But rest assured, I wouldn’t splatter my name all over something I didn’t believe in, and this one—headlined by Brooklyn dark rockers, Occultation, and featuring support courtesy of local Kosmodemonic, Mountain God, and noise punk upstarts, Think Tank—has me truly hyped. Throw in Palisades, probably Bushwick’s preeminent seen-and-be-seen venue these days (FYI: I consider Shea/The Acheron to be East Williamsburg staples), and you have one hell of a Friday night rager on tap. Tickets are just $10, so come out and support your local nepotist.
Friday, doors at 8pm
4) Knit Ball – Celebrating Five Years In Brooklyn w/ a very special solo performance by Andrew W.K.
Calling all party animals, if you want to party this weekend, then this party is the only party you need. Just remember your party hats and party pants, however, because WHEN IT’S TIME TO PARTY, WE WILL ALWAYS PARTY HARD!
Saturday, doors at 11pm
3) TV On The Radio, Natasha Kmeto at Music Hall of Williamsburg
Of all the mid-oughts indie bands still in operation (The Strokes, The Killers, et. al), TV On The Radio, a decade later, are by far the easiest to like. Brooklynites before being one was cool, indebted but not beholden to their pop influences, and delightfully strange without trying to be, the iconic outfit wrap up their fall tour with this homecoming show at Music Hall of Williamsburg, which, with the hype hurricane swirling about nine blocks south, is somehow flying a little bit under the radar. Don’t get the wrong idea, of course, it is still sold out, but if you’re really committed to going, then I’m guessing you already have plans in place anyway.
Saturday, doors at 8pm
2) Pharmakon Record Release Show w/ S. English, Negation & Ligature at Palisades
If you’re looking for a Saturday night contingency to a sold out DBA, then you can’t go wrong with Palisades’ record release bash for Bestial Burden, the latest LP from reigning Brooklyn noise queen, Pharmakon. Recently graced with Pitchfork Best New Music honors, you’re bound to be hearing about this one as the year speeds towards list season, so get out there and lend it your innocent eardrums lest you get too far behind the curve or whatever everyone out there is trying so hard to keep up with.
Saturday, doors at 8pm
1) DBA’s Final Stand
The majority of the Brooklyn music scene has been gathered around the DBA casket for weeks now, and having heard eulogies from the likes of Dan Deacon, Ted Leo, Ty Segall, Future Islands, and Thee Oh Sees, its not hard to see why. Call this one a foregone conclusion or a just do, it doesn’t matter anymore, but know that whoever takes the stage on Saturday night (rumors abound, but one band we have yet to see is the first band to ever play DBA, Hot Snakes) will be part of one the most important, and most bittersweet, moments in NYC music history. Lines have been around the block all week, so here’s hoping all the regulars get to bear the witness they deserve. Everyone looking to make their first pilgrimage, however, please just bide your time until that safe, shiny, and maybe a little bit slimy Vice/Live Nation venue opens in a few months time.
Saturday, doors at 8pm
Honorable Mentions
Sexiest Producer Alive 2014
Ryan Hemworth at Rough Trade
…But They Charged Us $50 To Check Them
We Were Promised Jetpacks at Webster Hall
Official Thee Oh Sees Pre-Party at DBA
Unofficial Thee Oh Sees Pre-Party at Manhattan Inn
edit: tvotr were brooklynites BACK WHEN being one was cool